Dental Porcelain Crowns in Fort Mill, SC

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown restoration is essentially a protective “cap” that covers the entire crown of the tooth. Dental crowns are crafted in a dental laboratory using a variety of materials, such as porcelain, zirconia, metal-fused porcelain, and even pure metals and metal alloys. While a dental crown can esthetically enhance the appearance of a tooth, the procedure is primarily performed to strengthen the crown of the tooth and prevent bacteria from infecting the tooth's pulp chamber.

Dental Crown FAQ's

The team at Orchard Grove Family Dentistry is here to restore your tooth and bring back the beauty of your smile. If you are curious about correcting your smile with porcelain crowns in Fort Mill, SC, call us today for a consultation.

When is a Dental Crown Recommended?

Dental crowns may be recommended in situations where the crown of the tooth is damaged or weakened, yet the pulp and roots of the tooth are still healthy. These scenarios may include the following:

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• The tooth is weakened. A tooth may become weakened due to trauma, tooth decay, or from a root canal procedure.

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• The tooth requires restoration. A tooth may require restoration if the enamel has become significantly worn down or the crown has cracked or chipped.

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• The tooth has a large filling. A filling only fills and seals a tooth following decay, it doesn’t strengthen the tooth in any way. If the filling is too large, it may require a dental crown to reinforce the tooth.

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• A dental bridge is being placed. A dental bridge is essentially two crowns that are used to support a false tooth (pontic).

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• To restore a dental implant. If you are having a single dental implant placed, this implant will most likely receive a crown restoration.

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• To fix a cosmetic issue. As mentioned previously, dental crowns are sometimes used to correct teeth that are significantly discolored or misshapen.

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Have a question about dental crowns or curious about whether a dental crown is suitable for your dental issue? Call Orchard Grove Family Dentistry for a consultation today!

What's the Procedure for Dental Crowns?

Has a dental crown restoration been recommended to you and you're wondering what all is involved with this procedure? Read on to see what a typical crown procedure is like.

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• Examination and consultation. Before a restorative treatment can be recommended, we must first diagnose your dental issue. The first diagnostic step usually involves taking an X-ray or CT scan of the tooth. We will then make recommendations which may include a dental crown restoration. If you are having a crown placed following root canal therapy, this step will need to be performed before the crown is placed.

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• Shaving the tooth. Since a dental crown is several millimeters thick, this same thickness will need to be removed from your tooth enamel. This prevents the restoration from being overly large. For your comfort, a local anesthetic will be applied prior to this step.

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• Taking impressions. Now that the tooth has been prepared for its crown restoration, we take impressions of the tooth. These impressions will be used to craft both your temporary and permanent crowns.

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• Placing the temporary crown. While a master ceramist is crafting your permanent crown at a dental laboratory, you will wear a temporary crown made of composite resin.

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• Tinting your crown. If you are having a porcelain or zirconia crown placed, a ceramic artist will tint your restoration to match the shade of your natural teeth.

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• Placing the permanent crown. During this final step, your temporary crown is removed, the tooth is cleaned, and we perform a try-on to ensure the crown fits and looks perfect. If everything is to your liking, we will etch the tooth, apply a bonding cement, and finally place the crown.

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Before you leave, the dentist will provide aftercare instructions. Please read and follow these carefully. If you have a question about your crown restoration, please feel free to contact us at any time.

How Long Will My Dental Crown Last?

Your dental crown will likely last anywhere from 15 to 30 years, all depending on the materials chosen, your personal habits, and how well you care for your restoration. Attending regular checkups with your dentist is an important part of your treatment as it allows us to monitor any changes with your restoration.

How Should I Care for My Tooth Crown?

Dental crowns are very strong and durable. But, they do still require some care and maintenance to ensure they last as long as possible. Here are some tips you should follow to get the most out of your tooth crown.
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‍Avoid chewing hard objects. If you habitually bite your nails or chew ice, you should try to ditch these habits or at least not chew directly on the crown restoration. Biting down on a hard object may cause the crown to become loose, or even irreparably damaged.
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‍Continue to brush and floss around the tooth. Your dental crown isn't vulnerable to tooth decay, but the tissues around your dental crown are still susceptible to disease. Therefore, you should continue to brush and floss around your restoration, just as you would with a natural tooth.

‍Attend regular dental checkups. Attending regular checkups allows us to perform scans of the inside of the tooth as well as maintain your general oral health.

Porcelain Crowns: A Fort Mill Dentist Explains the Process

What is a Dental Crown?

Dental Crown FAQ's

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